Psalm 140

Prayer for Help in the Face of Enemies

140For the music director. A psalm of David.^a

¹Rescue me, O Yahweh, from evil men.^b

Preserve me from violent men,

²who plan evil things in their heart.

They stir up wars continually.

³They sharpen their tongue as sharp as a snake’s;

the venom of a viper is under their lips. Selah

⁴Protect me, O Yahweh, from the hands of the wicked.

Preserve me from violent men,

who have planned to make me stumble.^c

⁵The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords.

They have spread out a net along the side^d of the path.

They have set snares for me. Selah

⁶I say to Yahweh, “You are my God.”

Listen, O Yahweh, to the voice of my supplications.

⁷O Yahweh, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,

you have covered my head in the day of battle.

⁸Do not grant, O Yahweh, the desires of the wicked.

Do not allow them to attain their^e plan, lest they be exalted. Selah

⁹With respect to the head of those who surround me,

may the harm of their lips cover them.

¹⁰Let burning coals fall on them;

let them be dropped into the fire,

into bottomless pits from which they cannot rise.

¹¹Do not let a slanderer^f be established in the land;

as for the man of violence, let evil hunt him quickly.

¹²I know^g that Yahweh will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

and justice for the needy.

¹³Surely the righteous will give thanks to your name;

the upright will dwell in your presence.